Will
says, arguing that signs of economic development may help prevent military conflict with Taiwan:
But America's hope still is that burgeoning enterprise and commerce in China--"getting and spending"--will divert the torrential energies of the Chinese nation into peaceful outlets. The hope is that a China whose muscle and will are devoted to consumerism will be too busy--too hedonistic--for militarism.
We've seen how well that notion has worked in the USA, haven't we? Good thing our hedonistic ways and rampant consumerism have prevented American militarism...